No, that headline is technically correct. Rain is launching what it calls its smallest, fastest, and smartest router ever. Dubbed the101 pro, the router is a sequel to its the101 5G router released last November. It launches alongside its the101 Xtender, which allows users to squeeze more from the network. Rain seeks to play a bigger part in the roll-out of 5G in the country to help more South Africans access high-speed internet with the the101 pro.
the101 pro-blem, but a glitch ain’t one
Rain’s 2019 inception led to the introduction of the first standalone 5G network in the world (besides China, obviously). 2023 saw the company launch a nationwide 4G network.
In November 2023, rain released its the101 5G smart router. The company also sought to inject some style into this router with a selection of 101 skins. The router featured a touchscreen display, allowing users greater latitude with convenient functions such as scan-to-connect, direct messaging, and a conveniently built-in speed test.
The the101 pro, the101’s quicker and sharper successor, is designed specifically for high-demand users. It’s got a bigger screen, is powered by a MediaTek T830 platform, and supports 300MHz on four carrier aggregation (meaning it uses up to four different carriers’ networks to create a wider channel for data transfer, resulting in better speeds), with 5G tech. State-of-the-art Wi-Fi 7, also found in the new iPhone 16s, means it delivers high speeds and lower latency for higher-quality streaming.
Rain’s the101 Xtender unit self-explicably extends Wi-Fi coverage, creating a smart mesh network, and pairs with the101 pro to deliver a single SSID to all connected devices. Customers can access the101 Xtender’s aforementioned features on the 1.8 in touch screen. It too comes with 101 skins.
We certainly won’t complain about more affordable Wi-Fi options, so long as connectivity remains consistent. The the101 pro router is available as part of Rain’s 60Mbps plan starting at R825, and R1025 for unlimited 5G, with an additional R135 for the 101 xtender on 60Mbps, and R100 on unlimited 5G.
12/11/24, 14:42 — corrected pricing for Rain’s 60Mbps and Unlimited packages.